A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu

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Category Archives: Beginning

At the end of the 3 rd week i could put my thoughts together and find a chance to scratch something.

Beginning was mostly weird. Last two weeks passed too fast with getting ready, shopping and house’s last procedures.

A date that can not be forgotten ever.

January 1st 2012.

I came home afternoon. Although everything seemed casual i had storms in me. All feelings, emotions melded each other and were boiling right in the middle of my body like a bobble that wants to make volcanos jealous.

I checked my stuff one more time. It took 4 more times than one time. I was taking everything out of bag, keeping out a few of them seemed unnecessary and packing back. Than I was emptying my bag one more time and checking again one more time. A few hours passed with that.

My flight was at 10 am from Izmir. Because i would go to the airport via bus I had to leave home at 6 am. When time got nearer thrill ascended, my hands and feet started to shake slowly.

I looked a few more times to my bag. All i’ve got was just a bag full stuff. I looked one more time to my room. I glupped while thinking that i would never see my room, my home, Izmir where i love very much, everyone that i knew, my loved ones and hated ones again.

After i played for last time with my cats, i found myself at the door with my backpack.

I thought what i was doing one more time before i closed the door.

Everybody i knew, all i got, all i lived and was going to be lived would be behind me any more.

I closed the door slowly. Took a deep breath. Thrill and fear of the first step is too far from explaining. You should live.

After walking a little on the street i turned back and take a look one more time to house. There was no one around except me. Looked to the house. Couldn’t keep myself to ask “Am i doing the right thing?”.

“Go Güneş” i heard a voice. From very deep within. I kept walking. Alll the meaning of what i saw or heard during the way, started to change. I had started to move on with leaving the back and past behind. At the end of the road i looked back one more time. And one more time the familiar voice was saying “Think well, is this right what you are about to do?

And one more time, that familiar voice i know more now said “Go Güneş!”.

I understood that the one/thing i left behind was calling me every time i looked back. I had started to move on one time anyhow. The only thing that can be done was leaving the past where it was and to keep moving on.

I was looking to the people around while waiting waiting for bus. Everyone was going somewhere. No one was aware of that they were going because they knew they would turn back.

But my situation was opposite. I had a decision of a progress which has no return. Anything that i saw, heard, felt was giving me more joy. Time started to lose its meaning slowly.

I watched while i was on the bus. My mind was almost frozen, the thoughts were not flowing. There were just feelings. Everything around was too shiny and colourful as i has never seen before.

According to what i’ve heard and read, the hardest part of the journeys is the moment of getting on the road. It was my turn to live this harness. The meanings of notions had already started to change, time and place had already started to lose their definitions. The union of all those was generating a freedom feeling that never had been felt before.

The journey literally has started. With some strangeness at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. As of today, all flights will be operated at the international terminal due to construction works at the domestic terminal. While i was checking-in the weird things began to happen. When the THY staff told me that they had no “Priority Baggage” sticker left, my answer was clear: “Well, I’m not in a hurry and don’t have any place to catch up!”

So, as an advantage of this terminal exchange, I could buy the outward stamp(?!) at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. The price of lefting your country?! 15 tl. One step for being an independent voyager, PRICELESS!

After having my board passes and CIP enterence card, when i passed through the terminal inner security check i realized that unfortunately there was no access to CIP room from inside the building. I quickly asked how i can reach the room to a THY staff i came across. The answer was a signal to the weirdness will be continue. I had to go outside, get downstairs and walk beside to the building. Then i went back outside through the security check with the strange stares of policemen. When the THY staff i asked for help told me that he can take me to the CIP room via a vehicle, a real smile occured on my face. Meanwhile i learned that i could directly go to the CIP room and have my check-in, left my baggage and get my boarding pass there, without entering the international terminal, with my CIP opportunity (Thanks to Miles&Smiles).
“Next time you may prefer this way” said the THY staff. Now I’m sending my best from here and notify him with pleasure that there will be no “next time”.

I was feeling that CIP room’s interesting showy air and i became a great couple. Tiny tomato and cheese sandwich and tea in glass was so tasty. In a place that mini portions are served like everyone was on diet, the XL bodies’ dance was noteworthy.

In a half an hour the Izmir-Istanbul flight will be departed. Following this one, i have one more flight to the airport that is named after one of the scientists i admire, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. I really wonder about the 21th century state of the land that Tesla had born and educated.

By the time you see this post come out, probably i will have arrived to my first destination- Serbia.
The latest situation at the moment; exhaustion and sleeplessness of packing and unpacking my bag for 5 times. I had to discard many stuff to make the bag lighter. So i have to keep my belongings minimal. But i am uncertain about the tent which is the heaviest one. I hope my 2.5kg tent which is now swinging next to my bag will be useful in an appropriate situation. If it won’t, i’ll leave it on the half way.

At the end i bought new gear for veer. These are not for really professional use. But i’m not gonna climb to Everest. But hey this is a good idea, isn’t it.

1) 70 Lt. Eye Mountaineer Backpack:

Eye Mountaineer 70 Lt. Adventure backpack has affordable price and good quality. It is for short distance, light hiking and camping activities. It has 2 compartments on the head side. One is inside and the other is outside. Bottom compartment is for sleeping bag. Inside of bottom part there is a separator so that you can separate this place from the main compartment of the backpack.

On the very bottom part there is a rain cover attached to backpack. This is very useful so that you can use it on rainy days outside.

2) Voyager 10C Sleeping Bag:

Compact sleeping bag. It has 10C comfort and 3C extreme levels. Filling is 100gr/m2 seven hollowfibre. It has really small bag. Perlons on the side is useful when you put the sleeping bag inside. It is not for camping out in extreme winter time but is good for mild weather conditions. I will stay indoors in winter so this sleeping bag is enough for me. It’s cheap (Thanks! to Tesco), small and light. On the label it says it is waterproof but i am not sure about it. It depends on the rain amount. I will test it and make you know later.

3) Cooking Set for 2:

This is one of the must for a long time journey. Made from Aluminium. The set is really light and compact. It has 2 dishes, 1 fry pan, 1 pot and 2 plastic cups. You can put everything inside and cover with belt. It is small and easy to use.

4) Keen Hiking Boots:

The Siskiyou WP offers all the benefits of a serious hiking boot in a low profile and affordable shoe. Ready for winter with a waterproof/breathable KEEN.DRY membrane and tough, trail-ready mesh venting panels, the Siskiyou WP keeps feet dry and comfortable through wet weather. For the first couple of days boots were a little bit tight but after some use now it is comfortable 🙂